Drew's Journal
My Podcast Link
05/08/2008 12:23 #44275
Hey Hockey Fans!Category: sports
My wife is going out without me on Friday night. The Penguins are playing hockey.
Anybody that wants to drink beer and watch hockey, I'm game.
05/06/2008 12:08 #44252
Poverty ChallengeCategory: religion
Sorry I haven't posted much lately. I have been posting on the church site regarding the Poverty Challenge.
tinypliny - 05/07/08 23:47
I think that is a noteworthy and awesome idea. I posted some unwarranted comments on your other blog.
I think that is a noteworthy and awesome idea. I posted some unwarranted comments on your other blog.
carolinian - 05/06/08 17:36
Being a new parent in this day and age and economy, I find myself having to go through the same listing of expenses and crossing of stuff off my list of pleasures. And ALDI's become my main shopping place, with Wegman's as an occasional treat.
I find that the cheapest, best solution for lunch is peanut butter sandwiches. A jar of PB and a loaf of bread is ~$5.00 and you get a week and a half worth of high-protein, low-cholesterol, relatively filling food that's around 0.50 a meal. It's even cheaper if you don't get the natural peanut butter that's low in sugar.
Being a new parent in this day and age and economy, I find myself having to go through the same listing of expenses and crossing of stuff off my list of pleasures. And ALDI's become my main shopping place, with Wegman's as an occasional treat.
I find that the cheapest, best solution for lunch is peanut butter sandwiches. A jar of PB and a loaf of bread is ~$5.00 and you get a week and a half worth of high-protein, low-cholesterol, relatively filling food that's around 0.50 a meal. It's even cheaper if you don't get the natural peanut butter that's low in sugar.
05/01/2008 19:44 #44212
10 Things I like about the PenguinsCategory: 10 things
1. Mario Lemieux. He saved the team by playing for them, by buying them, and by selling them. Then he decided to help Crosby be the next Lemieux. Back problems couldn't stop him. Neither could cancer. He is the Pens.
2. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the same power play line.
3. They wear Black and Gold, like every professional Pittsburgh team.
4. The logo: Simple, understated, perfect.
5. George Laraque: Dude can fight, AND play. He's a black hockey player, too, so he's got that going for him.
6. Back in the day, when Jaromir Jagr could hardly speak English, he would read the weather report on WDVE. It was hilarious.
7. They gave Mellon Arena it's appropriate nickname: the igloo. (Actually, I guess this is not approrpiate, since Penguins live near the South Pole, and igloos are found around the North Pole. But it's cool anyway, and the arena kinda looks like an igloo with its white roof.)
8. Student Rush tickets. It's a cheap way for students to get good seats.
9. They have not yet lost a playoff game this year.
10. They are going to win the Stanley cup this year.
2. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the same power play line.
3. They wear Black and Gold, like every professional Pittsburgh team.
4. The logo: Simple, understated, perfect.
5. George Laraque: Dude can fight, AND play. He's a black hockey player, too, so he's got that going for him.
6. Back in the day, when Jaromir Jagr could hardly speak English, he would read the weather report on WDVE. It was hilarious.
7. They gave Mellon Arena it's appropriate nickname: the igloo. (Actually, I guess this is not approrpiate, since Penguins live near the South Pole, and igloos are found around the North Pole. But it's cool anyway, and the arena kinda looks like an igloo with its white roof.)
8. Student Rush tickets. It's a cheap way for students to get good seats.
9. They have not yet lost a playoff game this year.
10. They are going to win the Stanley cup this year.
drew - 05/07/08 08:29
Sorry. I HATE that logo that you referenced. The current logo is actually older than that one. The logo you linked to was kind of a "new Coke" logo that everybody reacted against.
Anyway, this should be a good series against the Flyers.
Sorry. I HATE that logo that you referenced. The current logo is actually older than that one. The logo you linked to was kind of a "new Coke" logo that everybody reacted against.
Anyway, this should be a good series against the Flyers.
lizabeth - 05/07/08 00:22
I like one of their older logos better - the one that's just a profile of a penguin inside a gold triangle. Here: :::link::: None of this cartoon-penguin-with-a-hockey-stick crap.
And I really do think the Penguins will make it to the Cup final (I'm rooting for the Flyers because I'd love to see a team go worst-to-first, but I know the Pens will beat them in the end), but lose to Detroit. But they'll probably have the Cup next year.
I can get behind all your other reasons for liking the Penguins, tho'. :)
I like one of their older logos better - the one that's just a profile of a penguin inside a gold triangle. Here: :::link::: None of this cartoon-penguin-with-a-hockey-stick crap.
And I really do think the Penguins will make it to the Cup final (I'm rooting for the Flyers because I'd love to see a team go worst-to-first, but I know the Pens will beat them in the end), but lose to Detroit. But they'll probably have the Cup next year.
I can get behind all your other reasons for liking the Penguins, tho'. :)
metalpeter - 05/03/08 20:56
Thanks for #9 you jinxed them or maybe it was me not being able to stay awake on the game that they where losing. Hopefully Sunday they win. I have all ways liked them but didn't really follow them. That being said I still thought #99 was better then lemiux and I liked him more but Lemiux still made a great 2nd place and is still a great addittion tthe penguins.
Thanks for #9 you jinxed them or maybe it was me not being able to stay awake on the game that they where losing. Hopefully Sunday they win. I have all ways liked them but didn't really follow them. That being said I still thought #99 was better then lemiux and I liked him more but Lemiux still made a great 2nd place and is still a great addittion tthe penguins.
mrdeadlier - 05/02/08 08:58
Dear Pittsburgh Penguins: Just beat the Flyers if you end up playing them in the next round; that's all I ask. Do that and I promise to root for you in the Finals.
Dear Pittsburgh Penguins: Just beat the Flyers if you end up playing them in the next round; that's all I ask. Do that and I promise to root for you in the Finals.
04/29/2008 15:45 #44186
Movie: Lord, Save Us from Your FollowersCategory: religion
Do you think that the Elmwood Strip would be interested in such a film, and a discussion of it? I am thinking of ordering it (The full length version, not the youtube clips)
james - 04/30/08 13:51
It seems pretty heavy on entertainment news figures (John Stewart, Bill O'Reilly) and celebrity politicians. So, it doesn't really float my boat.
It seems pretty heavy on entertainment news figures (John Stewart, Bill O'Reilly) and celebrity politicians. So, it doesn't really float my boat.
04/28/2008 23:59 #44179
Rev. Wright conintues . . .Category: religion
I listened to him a little bit more on the News today, and I have to say, he is a smart man.
Now, if his goal is to get Obama elected, he is likely making a bad move. Wright, however, was never called to put people in power, or to campaign. In fact, he said that while he wants Obama to become president, he will likely oppose him once he is elected. Wright is taking this position because he knows the Bible.
In ancient Israel, there were three types of leaders: prophets, priests, and kings. While sometimes a prophet would anoint a king, most of the time a prophet would correct a king (or remove him.) Even the best of kings had to be corrected by prophets.
Today, America is deciding who will be our "king." Meanwhile, most religious leaders are more likely to see themselves as priests rather than prophets: taking care of ceremony and "established" religion. Wright, however, has never seen himself in this role. He has been denied it, he has been made an "outsiders" by the rest of American culture. His calling is prophetic.
Obama certainly wishes Wright would shut up, but because Wright's first concern is not electing a president, but remaining obedient to the word of God, he continues to speak. He has an opportunity that few black pastors are given: a national audience.
Rev. Jackson had this opportunity, but his voice was compromised when he sought political power (Only Jesus was able to be prophet, priest AND king--and he is a very different kind of king).
Before him was Rev. King, and his voice was silenced when he started talking about poverty and war.
It's funny: Wright is called anti-American for saying similar things to King, and there is a national holiday in King's honor.
Couldn't Wright wait until after the election to speak? I'm sure Obama would like that, but who will be listening then? Once the election is over, Wright will only be given a fraction of the attention he is being given now.
Wright is smart not to wait. He is attempting to seize a unique opportunity.
Now is the time for a conversation on race and justice in the United States.
Obama's candidacy facilitated that conversation, but ironically, he will not be able to win office if he pushes that conversation. After the election, the impetus will be over. Wright is smart to speak up now.
For the first time in a long time, mainstream white America is being exposed to the concerns of blacks. Many have pointed out that Wright's comments are shocking, but that avoids the more important question: are they true?
A conversation will not happen without willing partners. Like it or not, Wright has taken the next step in the conversation that Obama began. He has said some hard things, but they need to be heard. Is white America willing to listen?
I hope so. It will be difficult, and hard. We will have to face some uncomfortable truths. But this is too big to ignore. Its time to listen.
Now, if his goal is to get Obama elected, he is likely making a bad move. Wright, however, was never called to put people in power, or to campaign. In fact, he said that while he wants Obama to become president, he will likely oppose him once he is elected. Wright is taking this position because he knows the Bible.
In ancient Israel, there were three types of leaders: prophets, priests, and kings. While sometimes a prophet would anoint a king, most of the time a prophet would correct a king (or remove him.) Even the best of kings had to be corrected by prophets.
Today, America is deciding who will be our "king." Meanwhile, most religious leaders are more likely to see themselves as priests rather than prophets: taking care of ceremony and "established" religion. Wright, however, has never seen himself in this role. He has been denied it, he has been made an "outsiders" by the rest of American culture. His calling is prophetic.
Obama certainly wishes Wright would shut up, but because Wright's first concern is not electing a president, but remaining obedient to the word of God, he continues to speak. He has an opportunity that few black pastors are given: a national audience.
Rev. Jackson had this opportunity, but his voice was compromised when he sought political power (Only Jesus was able to be prophet, priest AND king--and he is a very different kind of king).
Before him was Rev. King, and his voice was silenced when he started talking about poverty and war.
It's funny: Wright is called anti-American for saying similar things to King, and there is a national holiday in King's honor.
Couldn't Wright wait until after the election to speak? I'm sure Obama would like that, but who will be listening then? Once the election is over, Wright will only be given a fraction of the attention he is being given now.
Wright is smart not to wait. He is attempting to seize a unique opportunity.
Now is the time for a conversation on race and justice in the United States.
Obama's candidacy facilitated that conversation, but ironically, he will not be able to win office if he pushes that conversation. After the election, the impetus will be over. Wright is smart to speak up now.
For the first time in a long time, mainstream white America is being exposed to the concerns of blacks. Many have pointed out that Wright's comments are shocking, but that avoids the more important question: are they true?
A conversation will not happen without willing partners. Like it or not, Wright has taken the next step in the conversation that Obama began. He has said some hard things, but they need to be heard. Is white America willing to listen?
I hope so. It will be difficult, and hard. We will have to face some uncomfortable truths. But this is too big to ignore. Its time to listen.
drew - 04/29/08 18:10
I hear you Jon--and I will be honest. Some of his stuff sounds crazy to me, too.
However, if there is ever going to be reconciliation amongst black and white people in this nation, we need to spend some time listening to the stuff that sounds crazy on first glance. I'm not saying we have to believe it, but we do have to be open to hearing the experience of other people. That means not dismissing it because it is different than what we have always heard. Wright's message resonates with many people, and it would be wise to stop and consider why.
I hear you Jon--and I will be honest. Some of his stuff sounds crazy to me, too.
However, if there is ever going to be reconciliation amongst black and white people in this nation, we need to spend some time listening to the stuff that sounds crazy on first glance. I'm not saying we have to believe it, but we do have to be open to hearing the experience of other people. That means not dismissing it because it is different than what we have always heard. Wright's message resonates with many people, and it would be wise to stop and consider why.
jon - 04/29/08 17:27
Excuse my previous rant, but I obviously have no respect for that Wright character and his statements. Ughh.
Excuse my previous rant, but I obviously have no respect for that Wright character and his statements. Ughh.
jon - 04/29/08 17:24
Where Wright totally fails (and falls on his face over and over), is when he injects the "race card" everywhere he is able and assumes that any criticism of his words are "an attack on the Black Church".
1. he compares the US to the Roman legions that killed Christ
2. he praises Louis Farrakhan (well known racist who was proud to be called the "Black Hitler", etc)
3. he suggested that the AIDS epidemic was made by the US government to wipe out Black people
And more...
That Wright dude is so full of it, he makes me ill. He is taking his moment of fame and promoting hate in the form of racism and extreme Anti-American ideas. And he is visibly shocked when others comment against him. I see him in the news, spitting out lies and random false ideas and it offends me as an American.
"Some of the comments that Rev. Wright has made offend me, and I understand why they offend the American people." - Obama
Obama was right in denouncing his pastor's words, however Obama should have done it a lot sooner, imo. It took him 6 weeks to say that publicly about a man who married him and his wife, baptized his childern, considers a friend, prays with privately, etc. (I'm just pointing out Obama talks to this man on a regular basis.)
However I agree with Drew, that if he was trying to help Obama he made a horrible move. But I wouldn't call him a Prophet. Insane, maybe. He is no more talking about the Bible but blabbering on and on about racism. Also, I wouldn't compare him to Dr King. That feels like a slap in the face to Dr King and his incredible work.
Where Wright totally fails (and falls on his face over and over), is when he injects the "race card" everywhere he is able and assumes that any criticism of his words are "an attack on the Black Church".
1. he compares the US to the Roman legions that killed Christ
2. he praises Louis Farrakhan (well known racist who was proud to be called the "Black Hitler", etc)
3. he suggested that the AIDS epidemic was made by the US government to wipe out Black people
And more...
That Wright dude is so full of it, he makes me ill. He is taking his moment of fame and promoting hate in the form of racism and extreme Anti-American ideas. And he is visibly shocked when others comment against him. I see him in the news, spitting out lies and random false ideas and it offends me as an American.
"Some of the comments that Rev. Wright has made offend me, and I understand why they offend the American people." - Obama
Obama was right in denouncing his pastor's words, however Obama should have done it a lot sooner, imo. It took him 6 weeks to say that publicly about a man who married him and his wife, baptized his childern, considers a friend, prays with privately, etc. (I'm just pointing out Obama talks to this man on a regular basis.)
However I agree with Drew, that if he was trying to help Obama he made a horrible move. But I wouldn't call him a Prophet. Insane, maybe. He is no more talking about the Bible but blabbering on and on about racism. Also, I wouldn't compare him to Dr King. That feels like a slap in the face to Dr King and his incredible work.
james - 04/29/08 09:05
I am hoping this strikes a nice balance. I do not disagree with a lot of what Wright says, but a lot of people do. By Wright going off like he is it is an opportunity for Obama to say that Wright and his campaign are clearly not working together (which he said, almost verbatim).
Wright delivers his message. Obama drops a bit of the largest fake-controversy of the campaign. Win win.
You present an interesting perspective on it too. Thank you.
I am hoping this strikes a nice balance. I do not disagree with a lot of what Wright says, but a lot of people do. By Wright going off like he is it is an opportunity for Obama to say that Wright and his campaign are clearly not working together (which he said, almost verbatim).
Wright delivers his message. Obama drops a bit of the largest fake-controversy of the campaign. Win win.
You present an interesting perspective on it too. Thank you.
jason - 04/29/08 08:23
It certainly is some step he has taken. Some of his comments make at least a little sense, some border on the insane. However, I do agree that he has provoked us into joining a conversation we should have been having with each other long ago. White people really don't know what happens in a black church, and don't understand the theology.
Obama is smart, as a politician, to distance himself from Wright. After all, they are in the business of getting elected, and Obama is the unity guy. A conversation goes two ways, and I'm willing to listen, speak, and share ideas and concerns.
It certainly is some step he has taken. Some of his comments make at least a little sense, some border on the insane. However, I do agree that he has provoked us into joining a conversation we should have been having with each other long ago. White people really don't know what happens in a black church, and don't understand the theology.
Obama is smart, as a politician, to distance himself from Wright. After all, they are in the business of getting elected, and Obama is the unity guy. A conversation goes two ways, and I'm willing to listen, speak, and share ideas and concerns.
hey (e:drew), ami is a big pens fan and thinks Mario Lemieux is the greatest. :-) we were planning to watch the game at Sidebar on Hertel Ave... multiple TVs and we can carry in food. interested?
Love to, but got the kids Friday night. My recent tv purchase has kept my attention for the playoffs however.